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Friday, February 17, 2012

Sepia Saturday: Men and More

Sepia Saturday challenges bloggers to share family history through old photographs.

This week’s Sepia Saturday challenge features a 1912 photo of actor Claude Rains. Alan suggested many ways to interpret the photo:actors, monocles, pointing, men in chairs. I wanted so desperately to find among my family photos a picture of someone pointing.But it seems I come from a long line of people who were taught it’s not polite to point. However, I have no shortage of pictures of men in chairs.

The man standing is George Clift, the abusive ex-husband of my great-grand aunt Sallie Jollett Clift (read more about her HERE and HERE).I don’t know who the man sitting is; he does not resemble either of George and Sallie’s sons.This picture must have been taken prior to 1914, the date of their divorce decree.I can’t imagine why anyone even held on to this photo given what George put Sallie through, but here it is nonetheless.

Oh my - lookie there – they’re wearing spats!Just like Claude Rains!

And suddenly my Sepia contribution took a turn.Here is my daddy Fred R. Slade Jr. as a young recruit in the Coast Guard.

I have to admit, George does not look very sympathetic. After reading the background story, i do feel very sorry for his wife and those poor children. It's interesting to see him anyway. The photo of your father is wonderful, not least because of the young man off to the side.

Both of these photos are marvelous, especially the second one. I'm thinking the first photo was saved more for the man seated perhaps. Funny how these days people are more apt to photo shop people they don't want from photos if they don't just cut them out! But back then I think they did value/appreciate their photos far more then today! Thanks for such a delightful post!

The man seated seems in almost formal dress, with white tie and double row buttons on the cuffs, and George has a cigar in his fingers too, which makes it an unusual photo. I like the sailor photo especially for the accidental elements.

They're spats, or more specifically gaitors, I believe. I think the tall style used in the military and for protection (like for welders and lumberjacks) are called gaitors. Spats are probably just decorative. But I'm not Tim Gunn, so don't hold me to this explanation.

Kind of you for posting his picture, despite his history...You can burn it now, like he must be right now.I like the idea of spats, but underneath the pants, not above, like in your daddy's pic. Nice pic though! :)~ HUGZ

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About Me

My name is Wendy. About twenty years ago, I helped my mother research the Jolletts. Since retiring from teaching, I have expanded my research which I share here. When I’m not looking for my own family, I index for FamilySearch and the Greene County Historical Society.
Welcome to Jollett Etc. Please leave a comment to let me know you were here. If you have more information or believe we are related, EMAIL ME at wendymath at cox dot net